03/06/2026
Morning PSA
A Hard Conversation the Rescue World Needs to Have
Over the years in rescue, I’ve watched us turn everyone into villains if they don’t align 100% with our mission. If someone doesn’t adopt the way we think they should, rescue the way we think they should, or speak the way we think they should — they’re the enemy.
And that mindset is part of why we’re stuck.
Let’s talk about something uncomfortable: breeders, backyard breeders, and rescues — including bad rescues.
There are reputable breeders who health test, track bloodlines, check hips, stand behind their dogs, microchip, and take their dogs back if something goes wrong. They don’t want to be lumped in with backyard breeders.
There are responsible rescues who operate transparently, pull their microchipped dogs from shelters, and hold themselves accountable. They don’t want to be lumped in with bad rescues.
And then there are backyard breeders and bad rescues — the ones cutting corners, creating suffering, and contributing to the problem.
Here’s the part nobody wants to admit:
Reputable breeders and responsible rescues actually share a common enemy — irresponsible breeding and irresponsible placement.
But because we throw around blanket terms like “anti-breeder” or “all rescues are hoarders” — we never get anywhere. We stay divided, and the real problem keeps growing.
I cannot realistically tell a family they are wrong for wanting a dog whose background they know — where health testing was done, temperament was considered, and generations were tracked. That’s not evil. That’s predictability and risk management, especially for families with children.
Yes, rescue dogs can be amazing. I’ve seen it. Not every rescue dog comes from trauma.
But we also have to be honest: some dogs are born in chaos — under houses, in dirty environments, in**ed, neglected. Early trauma matters. Sometimes behavior issues surface later. Sometimes medical problems surface later. That’s reality, not judgment.
And here’s another reality: many reputable breeder dogs do not end up in shelters. They’re microchipped. They’re contractually protected. They get taken back.
Meanwhile, there are rescues right now that don’t even microchip their own dogs to themselves.
If we’re going to demand accountability, it has to be across the board.
I’m not “pro-breeder.” I’m pro-solution.
Breeders are not going away. There is no realistic future where dogs are no longer being intentionally bred. Legislation is heavily influenced by organized breeder groups with funding and political access. They can mobilize quickly. Rescue, meanwhile, can’t even agree day to day.
If responsible breeders and responsible rescues could agree on one thing — that backyard breeding is destructive and needs regulation — we might actually move the needle.
Because right now, while we’re fighting each other, the dogs are still paying the price.
Both sides have cleanup to do.
But if we can’t communicate with people we disagree with, we will never fix the systemic problem.
And the real enemy will keep operating comfortably in the background.
WE don’t need to 100% agree , but for the dogs, we must be opened minded. Few if any bi***es breed themselves, and the puppies should never be the victim
